CVE-2020-24421 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Adobe InDesign version 15.1.2 (and earlier) is affected by a NULL pointer dereference bug that can lead to a denial-of-service attack. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability.

Understanding CVE-2020-24421

Adobe InDesign 15.1.2 NULL Pointer Dereference Bug

What is CVE-2020-24421?

CVE-2020-24421 is a vulnerability in Adobe InDesign version 15.1.2 and earlier that allows for a denial-of-service attack due to a NULL pointer dereference bug when handling malformed .indd files.

The Impact of CVE-2020-24421

Severity: Medium
CVSS Base Score: 5.5
Attack Vector: Local
User Interaction: Required
Availability Impact: High
This vulnerability can cause a denial-of-service of the client application.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-24421

Adobe InDesign 15.1.2 NULL Pointer Dereference Bug

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference bug in Adobe InDesign version 15.1.2 and earlier, triggered by handling malformed .indd files.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: InDesign
Vendor: Adobe
Affected Versions:
InDesign <= 15.1.2
InDesign <= None

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to trick a user into opening a specially crafted .indd file, leading to a denial-of-service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Adobe InDesign 15.1.2 NULL Pointer Dereference Bug

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Adobe InDesign to the latest version.
Be cautious when opening files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches.
Educate users on safe browsing habits and file handling.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that Adobe InDesign is kept up to date with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.